Lynchburg College

Unit Plan: Third Grade Geography and Explorers

Emily Britt
EDUC 211
G. Martin

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Table of Contents

Unit Plan ........................................................................................................................................................3

Grid Plan ........................................................................................................................................................7
Lesson Plan 1 .................................................................................................................................................9
Lesson Plan 2 .................................................................................................................................................12
Materials ........................................................................................................................................................15

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Social Studies: Geography, Map Skills, and European Explorers
Grade 3
2nd Nine Weeks: Unit Length 2 weeks
Purpose:
This unit introduces students to basic map skills, world geography, and early exploration of the North American
continent. Content to be covered includes geography terms such as latitude, longitude, and cardinal directions;
parts of a map and basic navigation of grid maps; and brief biographies of explorers Jacque Cartier, Juan Ponce
de Leon, Christopher Newport, and Christopher Columbus.
Standards of Learning Objectives

Standard 3.3
o The student will study the exploration of the Americas by
describing the accomplishments of Christopher Columbus, Juan Ponce de Leon, Jacques Cartier, and
Christopher Newport;
identifying reasons for exploring, the information gained, and the results from the travels.
Standard 3.5
o The student will develop map skills by
positioning and labeling the seven continents and four oceans to create a world map;
using the equator and prime meridian to identify the four hemispheres;
locating the countries of Spain, England, and France;
Locating the regions in the Americas explored by Christopher Columbus (San Salvador in the
Bahamas), Juan Ponce de Leon (near St. Augustine, Florida), Jacques Cartier (near Quebec,
Canada), and Christopher Newport (Jamestown, Virginia);
locating specific places on a simple letter-number grid system.
Standard 3.6
o The student will read and construct maps, tables, graphs, and/or charts.

Unit Objectives

The students will be able to:

o Label the parts of a simple grid map.
Compass rose, map title, map scale, and map legend.
o Identify the seven continents (Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South
America) and the five oceans (Arctic, Atlantic, Indian, Pacific, and Southern.)
o Label and identify the parts of a world globe
Hemispheres: Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western.
Imaginary lines: longitude, latitude, prime median, and equator.
o Recognize the countries of Spain, France, the United States, and England.
o Recognize the locations of Quebec, Canada, San Salvador in the Bahamas, St. Augustine, Florida, and
Jamestown, Virginia.

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o Explain the reasons for exploration, information gained, and outcomes of exploration and identify the
countries of origins of four European explores.
Jacque Cartier, Juan Ponce de Leon, Christopher Newport, and Christopher Columbus
o Assess their own understanding of the information learned during the unit in an individual and group
setting.
Content Outline:

Basic Map Skills

o Reasons for maps
To give directions when traveling
To locate different areas or regions
Provide a variety information on real or imaginary places
o Compass Rose
Cardinal Directions: North, south, east, and west
Intermediate Directions: Northwest, Northeast, Southeast, and Southwest
o Map Legend
The objects of a map are represented using symbol.
A symbol is a picture on the map that represents something in the real world.
Legends usually show a small picture of each of the symbols used on the map, along with a written
description of the meaning of each of these symbols.
o Map Title
o Map Scale
By measuring the distance between two objects on a map and then referring to the graphic scale, it is
easy to calculate the actual distance between those same items.
Grid Map
o Grid maps help you locate places on maps.
o A grid uses lines to make rows and columns on a map.
o The rows go from side to side.
Usually have numbers to their left.
o The columns go from top to bottom.
Usually have letters at the top
o Every place on the map is in a single row and column.
Globe and World Map Skills
o Latitude and Longitude
o Prime Meridian and Equator
World Geography
o Seven Continents
Asia, Africa, Antarctica, Australia, North America, Europe, and South America
o Five Oceans
Arctic, Atlantic, Southern, Indian, Pacific
o Counties of Interest:
United States: part of North America
England: Christopher Newport

Spain: Ponce de Leon, Columbus

France: Jacques Cartier
Explorers
o European exploration of the Americas
Reason of exploration
Outcome and impact of exploration
Information gained from exploration
Countries of origin
o Christopher Columbus:
To find a western sea route to Asia
First European to discover a sea route to America; discovered Western Hemisphere (landed at San
Salvador)
Spain
o Juan Ponce de Leon
To discover riches and land to conquer
First European to land in Florida (near St. Augustine); gave Spain a claim to Florida
Spain
o Jacques Cartier
To colonize the New World
Explored the St. Lawrence River Valley (near Qubec, Canada) and gave France a North America
claim
France
o Christopher Newport
To discover riches; to find a western sea route to Asia; to colonize Virginia
Arrived at present day Jamestown; made four additional voyages, bringing more people to
Jamestown; was one of the first men to reach the Fall Line of the James River
England
o Impact of European exploration on American Indians
Deadly diseases were introduced.
Exploration later led to settlement.
The settlements led to relocation of the American Indians from their homeland.

Activities:
o Center work:
Map skills reference cards
Royal floor plan center
Grid map game
Captains Log
Discovering the Americas Songs
Brittown Map
Compass Rose Activity
Primary Source Investigation: Columbuss Log
o Classroom mapping activity

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o Explorer poster project
Instructional Aids and Resources
o Explorer Books
Assessment/Evaluation
o
o
o
o
o

Map Skills Test

Geography Test
Explorer Test
Explorer Poster Project
Center Activites

References
o https://sites.google.com/a/solteacher.com/olteacher-com/home/third-grade-virginiasol-resources/3rdgrade-virginia-social-studies-sol-resources/sol-3-6-maps
o Brainpop.com
o http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/sol/standards_docs/history_socialscience/index.shtml
o Nationalgeographics.com/kids
o www.solpass.org
o Car Rally
http://tukilah.my.id/kids-worksheets/map-skills-worksheets-for-kids/
o Reading a Map
https://www.superteacherworksheets.com/map-skills.html
o Spookytown
http://pagingsupermom.com/2012/10/worksheet-wednesday-spookytownmap/spookytownworksheet-2/
o Social studies book from the library

Subject/Unit: Geography and Social Studies

October

Monday
See Lesson Plan
Day 1

Objectives:
(SWBAT)

Introduction:

Map Skills and Geography

Week 1

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Label the parts of

a simple grid
map: Compass
rose, map title,
map scale, and
map legend.

Identify the seven

continents (Africa,
Antarctica, Asia,
Australia, Europe,
North America, and
South America) and
the five oceans
(Arctic, Atlantic,
Indian, Pacific, and
Southern.)

Label and identify

the parts of a world
globe: Northern,
Southern, Eastern,
and Western
Hemispheres;
lines of longitude
and latitude and
prime median and
equator

Assess their own

understanding of
the information
learned during the
unit in an
individual and
group setting.

Morning Work:
Neighborhood Map

Grid Map Review

Activity

Quick draw: draw

a grid map on
your blank world
map.

Brainpop rewatch

Number grid
activity

Seven Continents
and Five Oceans

World Map Skills

Longitudinal and
latitudinal lines

Map Skills Center

Our Classroom
Grid Map Activity
Activiy

Brainpop.com.
Social StudiesGeographyOceans

Review of Map
skills.
How do we tell
people where things
are on a map?
Class discussion

Development:
Social StudiesGeographyContinents of the
World

What else could

you make a map
of?

Answering
questions

Brainpop.com
Social StudiesGeography
Latitue and
longitude
Social StudiesGeography Map
Skills.

World Map Skills

Vocabulary Notes
Me on the Map
Homework

Culminating:

Brittown Map
Skills
Map Skills
Reference Cards
Royal Floor Plan
Guided Reading
Group
Compass Rose
Activity
Brainpop
computer center

Grand Discussion
about information
learned during
Exit Cards

Subject/Unit: Geography and Social Studies

Objectives:
(SWBAT)

Week 2

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Assess their own

understanding of
the information
learned during the
unit in an
individual and
group setting.
Me on the Map
Sharing

Assess their own

understanding of
the information
learned during the
unit in an
individual and
group setting.
How do you think
sailors new where
they were going
out at sea?

See Lesson Plan 8

Explorer Poster
Projects

Assess their own

understanding of
the information
learned during the
unit in an
individual and
group setting.
Quick Write:
What do you
remember about
someone elses
explorer?

Explain the
outcomes of
exploration four
European
explores.

Explorer Centers
Captains Log
Explorer Songs
Guided Reading
Groups
National
Geographic
Copy Cats
computer game
SOLpass:
explorers
computer center

Brainpop.comSocial StudiesCultureAmerican Indians.

Come Together:
what did you learn
during centers?

How would it
have been
different if
Europeans were
nicer to the native
Americans?

Introduction:

Map Skills Test

Review

Navigation
Map Skills
Assessment

Development:

Map Skills Game

Culminating:

European Explorers

Use the compass

to create a
compass rose for
the classroom grid
map

Friday

Explorer Songs

Geography and Explorers Unit: Map Skills

Day 1 Lesson 1
Grade 3
Lesson Time: approx. 60 minutes
Lesson Date: Mid October

Standards of Learning:
o 3.6: The student will read and construct maps, tables, graphs, and/or charts

Content Outline:
o Basic Map Skills
Reasons for maps
To give directions when traveling
To locate different areas or regions
Provide a variety information on real or imaginary places
Compass Rose
Cardinal Directions: North, south, east, and west
Intermediate Directions: Northwest, Northeast, Southeast, and Southwest
Map Legend
The objects of a map are represented using symbol.
o A symbol is a picture on the map that represents something in the real world.
Legends usually show a small picture of each of the symbols used on the map, along with a
written description of the meaning of each of these symbols.
Map Title
Map Scale
By measuring the distance between two objects on a map and then referring to the graphic scale,
it is easy to calculate the actual distance between those same items.

Rationale:
o Maps are an important part of life. With the increasing prominence of GPS, maps are a part of everyday
navigation. Maps are used to give directions, to locate and to provide a variety of information about
different areas or regions, and relate one location to another.

Objectives:
o The student will be able to:
Label the parts of a simple map.
Compass rose, map title, map scale, and map legend.
Explian the significance of maps
Locate items on a simple map

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Give directions using a simple map.

Lesson Opening:
(10 minutes)
o Activate prior knowledge:
Class discussion: Students do not need to raise their hands. Students should not interrupt a speaking
classmate.
What is a map?
When do you use a map?
What can a map tell you?

Connections:
o How is a map like a table or a chart?
Is it similar or different?

Process
o Instructional strategy: Direct
(20 minutes)
Open Smart Notebook: Map Skills Directions
Slide 1: Introduce the Compass Rose:
A circular diagram printed on a chart or map to show the direction of north and other main points
of the compass.
Slide 2: Cardinal Directions
The basic directions on the map called North, South, East, and West
Slide 3-5:
Draw students names to answer questions
Allow students to come to the Smartboard to fill in the blanks.
Slide 6: Intermediate Directions
The directions between the cardinal directions called Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, and
Southwest
Slides 7-9
Draw students names to answer questions
Allow students to come to the Smartboard to fill in the blanks.
Slide 10
Point out Map Key (also called a Map Legend)
o Tells you what the symbols stand for on the map. It is found on the corner of the map
usually.
Draw students names to answer questions
Allow students to come to the Smartboard to fill in the blanks.
Slide 11
Use shade to cover directions
Model how to give the directions from Rons House to Kims House
o Uncover directions as you go
Slide 10

(5 minutes)

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Allow students time to write down their answer.
Volunteers can give their answers.
o Activity 2: Worksheets
Student need to get their glue sticks and scissors from baskets.
Pass out Rally Car Worksheet
Students will do the worksheets together as a class.
Pass out Reading a Map Worksheet
Students will do this worksheet individually.
Collect worksheets when finished

Products:
o Worksheets:
Car Rally
Reading a Map
o Homework
Spooky Town

Assessment
o Worksheets

Closure
o Pass out Map Skills Vocabulary Sheet
o Students will glue hamburger style into their Social Studies notebook

Homework
o Spooky Town

Differentiation:
o Jkfdlsjfkls

Materials and Equipment

o Smartboard
o Smart Notebook: Map Skills Directions
o Worksheets
Rally Car
Reading a Map
o Homework
SpookyTown
o Map Skills Vocabulary Sheet
o Scissors
o Glue sticks
o Crayons (each student has their own)

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Geography and Explorers Unit: Map Skills
Day 8 Lesson 8
Grade 3
Lesson Time: approx. 60 minutes
Lesson Date: Mid-October

Standards of Learning:
o Standard 3.3
The student will study the exploration of the Americas by
describing the accomplishments of Christopher Columbus, Juan Ponce de Leon, Jacques Cartier,
and Christopher Newport;
identifying reasons for exploring, the information gained, and the results from the travels.
o Standard 3.5
The student will develop map skills by
locating the countries of Spain, England, and France;
Locating the regions in the Americas explored by Christopher Columbus (San Salvador in the
Bahamas), Juan Ponce de Leon (near St. Augustine, Florida), Jacques Cartier (near Quebec,
Canada), and Christopher Newport (Jamestown, Virginia);

Content Outline:
o Explorers
European exploration of the Americas
Reason of exploration
Outcome and impact of exploration
Information gained from exploration
Countries of origin
Christopher Columbus:
To find a western sea route to Asia
First European to discover a sea route to America; discovered Western Hemisphere (landed at
San Salvador)
Spain
Juan Ponce de Leon
To discover riches and land to conquer
First European to land in Florida (near St. Augustine); gave Spain a claim to Florida
Spain
Jacques Cartier
To colonize the New World
Explored the St. Lawrence River Valley (near Qubec, Canada) and gave France a North
America claim
France

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Christopher Newport
To discover riches; to find a western sea route to Asia; to colonize Virginia
Arrived at present day Jamestown; made four additional voyages, bringing more people to
Jamestown; was one of the first men to reach the Fall Line of the James River
England

Rationale:
o Maps are an important part of life. With the increasing prominence of GPS, maps are a part of everyday
navigation. Maps are used to give directions, to locate and to provide a variety of information about
different areas or regions, and relate one location to another.

Objectives:
o The student will be able to:
Recognize the countries of Spain, France, the United States, and England.
Recognize the locations of Quebec, Canada, San Salvador in the Bahamas, St. Augustine, Florida,
and Jamestown, Virginia.
Explain the reasons for exploration, information gained, and outcomes of exploration and identify
the countries of origins of four European explores.
Jacque Cartier, Juan Ponce de Leon, Christopher Newport, and Christopher Columbus

Lesson Opening:
(5 minutes)
o Class discussion
Students do not need to raise their hands. Students should not interrupt their speaking classmates.
What does it mean to explore?
What is an explorer?

Connections:
o Why would an explorer need to use maps and navigation tools like a compass?

Process
o Instructional strategy: Cooperative
Part 1
Divide students into mixed 4 groups (not by reading level)
Each group gets 5 copies of one of the explorer books
Instructions (write on the board or project onto the board)
o Read your book quietly to yourself.
o Think about these questions
What country sponsored the explorers trip?
What did the countrys flag look like?
What route did he take?
Where did he land?
Did his ships have names?
Why did he want to explor?

(5 minutes)

(40 minutes)

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Part 2
Pass out poster paper, explorer portraits, blank maps, scissors, and glue sticks.
Students should get their own crayons and markers out.
Instructions (write on the board or project onto the board)
o Cut out the portrait and glue it into the center of the poster paper
Write his name underneath
o Draw a mind map with your explorers portrait at the center
o Each bubble should answer one of the questions above in complete sentences.
You should have at least 6 bubbles.
o Trace the explorers route on the blank map and glue into a bubble
o Draw the map of the explorers sponsor country in one of the bubbles
o Add any other information that your group found interesting in more bubbles.

Products:
o Explorer Posters

Assessment
o Explorer poster

Closure
o Present posters to the class

Homework
o No homework

Differentiation:
o Jkfdlsjfkls

Materials and Equipment

o Explorer Books
6 Ponce de Leon
6 Columbus
6 Newport
6 Cartier
o Blank Maps (25)
o 4 explorer portraits
o Scissors
o Glue sticks
o Crayons and markers (each student has their own)

(10 minutes)

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Materials for Geography, Maps, and Explorers Unit

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Materials for Geography, Maps, and Explorers Unit
Table of Contents

Day 1
o Map Skills Introduction Smartboard
o Map Skills Vocabulary Handout
o Map Skills Homework
Day 2
o Grid Map Introduction Smartboard
o Our Classroom Grid Map
o Grid Map Homework
Day 3
o World Geography Smartboard
o Blank world map
Day 4
o World Map Skills Smartboard
o World Map Skills Vocabulary Handout
Day 5
o Map Skills Centers
Brittown Map Skills
Map Skills Reference Cards
Royal Floor Plan
Compass Rose Activity
Day 6
o Map Skills Review Activity
Day 7
o Map Skills Assessment
o Navigation Tools Powerpoint Slides
Day 8
o Explorer Books
Christopher Columbus
Christopher Newport
Jacques Cartier
Juan Ponce de Leon
Day 9
o Explorer Centers
Primary Source Investigation: Columbuss Log
Captains Log
Explorer Songs
Day 12
o Explorers Assessment

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Map Skills Introduction Smartboard

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Our Classroom Grid Map Example:

Actually size of Our Classroom Grid map would have a map scale of 3 inches: 2 meters. Squares would be 3
inches by 3 inches.

Other Materials needed for lesson

Yarn knotted in 1 meter increments for measuring the classroom

o A tape measure can also be used if it is as long as the classroom is wide or long.
Blank grid that is 28 inches by 15 inches (seven 3 inch squares by five 3 inch squares)

Alternative: Activity can be done using the Smartboard or a projector. Disadvantage is that the finished poster
cannot be displayed in the classroom.

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Some icons used in Classroom Grid Map were borrowed from http://www.mycutegraphics.com
Desk icons were created in Word.

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Grid Map Homework (from greatschools.org)

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Map of Brittown

Lake
Brittown

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Read the each question carefully and answer it on a separate sheet of

loose-leaf paper. Write your name at the top of your loose-leaf paper
and number 1-12.

1. What is the title of the map?

2. What symbols are on the Map Legend?
3. What buildings are located in Column D?
4. What buildings are located in Row 1?
5. The Library is what intermediate direction from the Police
Station?
6. Elm Street begins at_______________ and ends at
_________________.
7. Which direction on Main Street would you travel to get
from School to the Library?
8. Lake Brittown is located in which four squares?
9. The house is located in which corner of Brittown?
10. How many squares is Friend River located in?
11. Where is the School located?
12. The Post office is ________________ of the School.

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Map Skills Center

Directions: Cut along the dotted lines then write your name
on the back of each card. Follow the directions written on
each card carefully. After you have finished, glue 2 to a page
on the NEXT blank page in your Social Studies notebook.

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Name:__________________________________________

The Royal Castle

Read the directions and follow each step carefully.
1. Write your name at the top of the Royal Castle
Floor Plan.
2. When you enter the castle through the front door,
you are in the living room. Label this room LIVING
ROOM and draw a sofa in it.
3. As you walk to the east from the living room, you
enter the royal TV room. Label this room TV ROOM
and draw a television in it.
4. The largest room in the castle is the Queen's bedroom. Label this room QUEEN'S
BEDROOM and draw a bed in it.
5. Directly north of the Queen's bedroom is the queen's closet. Label this room QUEEN'S
CLOSET and draw a dress in it.
6. Directly west of the Queen's closet is the library. Label this room LIBRARY and draw
a book in it.
7. The smallest room in the castle is the bathroom. Label this room BATHROOM and
draw a bathtub in it.
8. Directly east of the bathroom is the kitchen. Label this room KITCHEN and draw a
stove and refrigerator.
9. The dining room is shaped like a circle. Label this room DINING ROOM and draw a
table in it.
10. If you walk north from the kitchen, you enter the King's bedroom. Label this room
KING'S BEDROOM and draw a bed in it.
11. If you're in the King's bedroom and look to the west, you'll see the King's closet. Label
this room KING'S CLOSET and draw a shirt in it.
12. Outside the castle, just south of the front door, is a sidewalk. Draw the sidewalk
leading up to the front door.

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Directions student would be given:

Compass Rose Activity

What the student would be doing

1.

Materials:
Two popsicle sticks
scissors
glue
clothespin
marker
construction paper
pencil
Directions
1. Glue two Popsicle sticks together to
form an X and clip with a clothes pin.

2.

3.

2. While the glue is drying cut 4

triangles out of construction paper.
Label them North, South, East, and
West.
3. When your popsicle sticks are dry,
label them longitude and latitude
according to the direction the popsicle
sticks are in.
Remember: lat is flat
4. Glue your triangles onto the
appropriate end of the popsicle sticks.
5. Write your name on the back of the
compass rose.

4.

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Name:____________________________

Map Skills Test

Map of Chesnut City

1.

What is the title of this map? _____________________________________

2. What does
symbolize on the map? ___________________________
3. Wheeler Farm is located on _________________________ Road.
4. The school is N S E W (circle one) of City Park.
5. To travel from the police station to Sanford Store you would take
which street?
_____________________________________________
6. The road which travels in a north/south direction is _________________.
7. Sanford Lake is N S E W (circle one) of City Park.
8. Draw a heart in the northwest corner of the map.

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9. Draw a smiley face in the southeast corner of the map.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13. Label the Equator on the map.
14. Label the Prime Meridian on the map.

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According to his log, how do you think

Columbuss crew was feeling?

How did Columbus know that they had found

land?

Why do you think Columbus lied to his crew

about how far away they were?

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Captains Portrait

______________________

Country of Origin

Countrys Flag

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Reasons for Exploration

Initial Voyage
Ships names:

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Europe
North America

Africa

South America

Success and Other Achievements

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Comments:

Captains Log Directions

1. Cut out each explorers portrait and glue it onto the log. Write the
explorers name under his portrait.
2. Using the explorer posters, fill in the information on the captains log.
3. Color the explorers county of origin purple.
4. Color the flags in the correct colors and glue it where it says
Countrys Flag.
5. The Comments section is where you can write any other information
about the explorer that you think is neat!
6. Remember to use COMPLETE sentences!

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Discovering the Americas in Song

Juan Ponce de Leon Christopher Newport
Row, Row, Row your Boat

Ponce, Ponce, Ponce de Leon

Landed in Florida
Wanted to find riches and land
in the name of Spain-a
Repeat.

Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

Newport, Newport
Found Jamestown
Made four voyages
to where he had found
Went to the Fall Line
of the James River
Sailed from England
in hopes of getting richer.
Newport, Newport
Wanted to find
a way to Asia
to save some time.

Jacques Cartier

Christopher Columbus

Are you sleeping, Brother John?

Oh my Darling, Clementine!

Cartier, Cartier
Came from France
Came from France
Explored St. Lawrence River
Explored St. Lawrence River
To make colonies
in Canada

Oh Columbus, Oh Columbus
landed in San Salvador
He thought hed found a western
Sea route to Asias door.
Oh Columbus, Oh Columbus
sailed from the country Spain
Discovering the New World
Was a blessing, not a pain!

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European Explorers Test

Name: ___________________________________

Draw a line between the explorer and his country of origin.

1.

Christopher Columbus

A. France

2.

Christopher Newport

B. Spain

3.

Jacques Cartier

C. Spain

4.

Juan Ponce de Leon

D England

Name the explorer that did the following (use each name listed above two times):
1.

He was looking for the Fountain of Youth.

2. He stated an English colony in Virginia.

3. He thought he had landed in Asia, but he really discovered
the New World.
4. He explored the St. Lawrence River Valley and claimed part
of North America for France.
5. He was the first European to discover a sea route to
America.
6. He was the first European to land in Florida.
7. He was shipwrecked during one of his 5 voyages to the New
World.
8. He wanted to make new settlements for France in the New
World.
Match the explorer with the place he explored by writing the letter next to his name.
Columbus

a. Quebec

Ponce de Leon

b. San Salvador

Cartier

c. Jamestown

Newport

d. St. Augustine

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